EXCITED about Things .........

Me and Nique- my baby girl - now grown :) 

Lord today Your love brings me excitement.  I am so grateful for who You are in my life.  You amaze me, I marvel in your many wonders.  You are so great and magnificent.  I am asking You to forgive me of anything that I have done that has stood in the way of me being used as Your vessel.  Lord gives me words that I need to glorify You and bring forth Kingdom Building.  Lord I thank You in advance for all that You have planned.  I thank You solo much.  I thank You for healing; I thank You for be my mother, father, my sister and my brother. Lord humble my heart remove any pride, help me to live a life that honors You.  You give me a great sense of PEACE.

I LOVE my weekends.  The weekends for me give me a break from the day to day.  These days I get to run my errands and take care of some of my needs.  My weekend ventures always interest me.  I am careful of what I plan and I like it to be enjoyable and exciting.  This weekend I will be careful around my eating over the past few weeks since my foot has been injured I have been off the chain.  This week I have been on track.  Thank You Lord.  I have been seeking God’s strength and He has given it to me. 

Friday night, Lord willing I will attend Relationship Night which meets every 2^nd and 4^th Friday night.  This is an exciting and  amazing night for singles, couples and married folks.  The pastor brings forth the word of God, supporting with scripture and real life examples.  I so look forward to these nights.  I have invited a guess who has shown interest, I pray she can attend, it is such a blessing.  It is one of those things that you wish everyone could be a part of.  If she doesn’t attend I will saddle up and drive with Stephanie H.  Friday is Ariel’s birthday I am preparing a dip for her get to together.  She is usually more excited about her birthday, but some of her plans have not panned out.  Saturday I may be attending Ariel’s cookout or a friend’s baby shower.  I will do as the Lord leads me.  Ohhhhhh, how exciting, Saturday is the last day for Ulta’s 20% off sale.  I may stop in and pick up the large makeup setting spray.  I may, I use it daily so it would be worth it to pick it up J  Also I will stop by the Mac counter and pick up prep and prime translucent powder.  Mac counter is ALWAYS exciting.  Sunday is Worship Service, the Word will be delivered and I am expecting great things.  Get to see the people of God and also see other’s turn their lives over to Christ.  Super EXCITING.  I will prepare my Sunday dinner, Nique may be able to come if her car is operable.  I love our Sunday’s dinners.

Meal Planning:  I plan to do my shopping for my meals this evening to reduce my errands for the weekend.  My grocery list is usually consistent every week; eggs, protein (meats), veggies (fresh or frozen), fruit, instant original oatmeal, bags of lettuce and toppings, yams or red skin potatoes (both baked).  I get my toppings from Heinen’s salad bar, it is already cut up and ready (I’m lazy about chopping), extras as needed; vinegar, garlic, Italian season (Heinens), diet coke, water L, kosher salt, PAM, garlic butter J.  The no sugar, no flour plan keeps things simple.  I cook my proteins in the oven as I get dressed for work, take a protein for lunch and the other one is for my dinner.  It is an easy way of life.  My variety comes in selecting proteins; fish, chicken, pork, beef. I can have shrimp, tuna also.  Other ways to find variety is in my selection of veggies; turnip/mustard, broccoli, peas, string beans.  My salad is usually consistent, I like the salad I like.  My breakfast doesn’t deviate; 2 eggs, banana or apple, 1 oz. original oatmeal (microwave).  My seasoning makes my salad and proteins delicious.  Heinen carries an Italian Season that is delicious and adds so much flavor.  It is costly but it is well worth it.  It is about 7 bucks and I go through a bottle once a month.  I use the frozen garlic cubes and cilantro cubes.  Deliciousness.  I get so excited at my dinner time, because I don’t have to rush through it, I can give God thanks for keeping me on focus and grateful to have a good meal before me.  It is my quiet time with the Lord.  A time of peace.  I never had such peace with my food prior to no sugar, no flour plan.  My meals are so good and tasty.  I thank God for this because when I follow the plan correctly I do not crave other foods. 

Beauty:  I have made an emergency appointment with Ms. Juanita for Friday.  My hair is weighty and I would like some layers.  Excited to see how it turns out. 

PHOTO:  I uploaded a picture my ex-husband took of me and Nique at Jayden’s birthday party in December 2011.  I loved the photo and he got it framed and gave it to me for my birthday.  I was so excited when I saw it and it meant a lot to me.  Nique me and LJ (ex) have a bond as family.  We all knew we wished Chris and my mom were in the shot.  It is like an unspoken thing.  We all feel it and keep it movin !   That was really thoughtful.  He tries to make up for the past, I have forgiven him and we keep it movin !  The watch is my new Michael Kor’s knock off of his boyfriend style, which I ordered through Amazon for 18 bucks.  I have to get some links taken out of it today.  I like it a lot, I was so excited when I got the package, and I couldn’t wait to open it up.  It is a weighty piece which I like, not as weighty as Kor’s but close.  I am such a knock off queen.  I know Kor’s has more quality but I am not able to pay nor can I justify 250 bucks.  But I do love the boyfriend style of watch.

Remember it is "who you know", I know the Lord and he provides me with Godly people.  I will be attending this affair this Saturday morning.  I am so excited about it. " Living Outside Your Comfort Zone", I like being surrounded by such positive people who are working to push themselves beyond their ordinary life.  I networked with Terri at Zoe's event gonegirlgo and we had great conversation.  Praise God !  I will get to stop in the CCO (Cosmetic Company Store) which is in the Solon/Aurora area.  Excited !

See ya !!  Stay in Prayer !  Keep your focus on God !  Remember in everything make sure what you do glorifies God.  

EARNED RESPECT - Tagged I'm It

My new black wedge and black boot - Yeah 

Lord I thank You and magnify Your Holy Name.  I am asking You to forgive me of any sins.  I want to be a vessel for You to use and I need to look more like You.  Lord I thank You for blessing me with healing.  Healing of my heart for loss and my body.  Healing is a slow process but I now know things get better.  Your favor, grace and mercy bring hope for a better future. It offers peace that surpassing all understanding.  Lord for this and all things I am soooooo grateful.  I could search the world over and find know one like You.  Lord Your will be done in my life !!!!

Over the past few days my supervisor is on a well deserved vacation.  The Lord works in me in so many ways, always showing me.  Since my supervisor has been gone I have been tagged as the person in charge of managing and making decisions in the department.  OK go back to line one of this paragraph, “well deserved vacation”.  I have learned so much about responsibility, commitment and managing in her absence.  She deserves to rest from all this responsibility.  I have gained a new sense of respect for her work, and what it takes to keep things moving.  I have managed, made decision and most importantly I have walked in her shoes.  I now know how her job, and I have only done a small taste of it.  The day to day stuff, I have not gone to the many meetings that she attends or done and ran reports.  I needed this experience to be able to deal with her in a more respectful, appreciative manner.  My previous director has been available to me in a big way.  Very helpful and for this I am grateful. 

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my fractured foot.  I received encouraging news, that in 3 weeks things should be better and healed.  I got a boot and it is black.  Good news is I can wear wedge heel on the other foot to give me more height, because the boot is higher.  The wedge balances it out.  And of course it is more fashionable than the flat J

I am so grateful that the healing is coming along nicely.  Healing is a process, emotional and physical healing.  I know this from personal experience and from the children I work with on a day to day as a therapist.  It is slow but healing happens, you have to slow yourself down, adjust to the changes, and want recovery and take the steps necessary.   Life is good.

I am working on my homework assignment for the new project which is IN PRODUCTION J  Lord give me what I need to carry out my tasks.

Healthy Eating:  Today I continue to be on track with my eating situation.  I had 1 oz of oatmeal and 2 eggs, missed my fruit.  But I got my Starbucks dark roast.  Lunch will be salad with tuna.  The combination is so delicious to me.   I feel good about what today will bring.  I cooked my protein this morning as I dressed so when I get home I can have dinner.  The doctor told me I should be up and running (power walking) real soon.  I was so encouraged.  So what this means to me is I have to continue to be patient with myself, taking care of my foot.  I also have to be really careful of the foods I intake as to not increase my weight.  I will be able to do this because I am focusing on God , knowing and believing that He will get me through this. 

Beauty:  This morning I did not have to put concealer under my eyes.  I did not see the need for it.  I put the MAC Prep and Prime with filler and it looked OK for the my day look.  I will be picking up the MAC pressed translucent prep and prime to use as a setting.  This will give a even smoother look to help cover the under eye lines.  I guess what I am saying is the darkness is slowly diminishing as I use my day and night eye creams from Laroach the night one has retinol (sp). The eye cream that I use in the morning hydrates.   But I still have under eye lines which the Mac products help fill.  I have used a few different techniques.  But I always knew I had to treat the program with the eye cream and not rely on concealing.  The eye creams are doing what they said they would do.  

Purpose and Passion

God's work

Lord Jesus You never fail to amaze me.  You bless me more than I could ever image.  I know You can do amazing things, but You show me Your love and give me purpose.  Purpose that glories You and helps other.  Lord allow me to be a good stewart of these blessings.  Please Lord !  Keep me humble along the way remembering that it is all about You.  I am only the vessel Your humble servant.  Lord bless us so that we can move this project forward.  Provide us with what we need along the way.  Allow our work to bless the magnitude.  Thank You so much !

Well, yesterday I was blessed beyond my wildest dream.  I trust the Lord because He is able and so very capable of doing all things.  BUT when I see him working in my life it amazing me.  I always say this “I LOVE to see the Lord work”.  And last evening He worked His hand in my life in a way that only God could do.  WOW !! WOW !!  Tenth Talent Productions, LLC made up of the talents of Andrea Swift and Nicole Hargrove presenting me with a proposal.  The proposal for a testimony of my journey.  Now this testimony would be used to help believers and non believers with their weight loss journey.  My blog, yeah this blog would be used and we would also use You Tube.  Also incorporated would be some self image building all supported by scripture.  Marvelous, simply Marvelous.  Last night as we talked Andrea broke down the word and I sat in awe of her understanding of the Word and her thirst.  She said God puts the super in the natural.  Get it Supernatural.  He can take what we as humans do and put the super in it and make it more than our human minds can do.  Ms. Nicole is a friend of mine, I call her a thinker, she thinks and is smart woman, thinks quickly and knows stuff J  God is allowing her to use her talents to glory His work.  I sat there and was like how ya’ll know all this stuff, and then it hit me GOD. 

I have been asking God to allow me to use my life to help others.  I want my story to help others that are struggling and need that motivation.  The channel could be called Olivia’s Daughter as is this blog.  I want the things I do to represent God in a positive manner and incorporate my mother’s spiritual influence on my life. 

Now we have lots of work to do.  I have my homework.  But I can say this is a passion so my energy will be right.  The Lord brought us together for this collorabtion so it is of God.  God will get the glory throughout my channel as he has throughout my blog.  I want to live a life pleasing to God that blesses others.  I have had journey which has caused me to have any tears but also much joy.  As I am sure many of you have had and so you understand.  Please stay tuned for the launch of Olivia’s daughter. 

The team of Tenth Talent Production, LLC are wonderful women of God, so I feel confident in allowing them to produce my testimony.  There are other special things that we discussed so stay tuned for updates. 

Please keep us in pray as we move forward in preparing to do God’ s work.

A special shout out to gonegirlgo (Zoe Brown) who helped me to see that from written words dreams can be developed and executed.  She is another sister who loves the Lord and who is moving forward on her dream.  Thanks !

Beauty Tip:  Embrace who God made you to be.  Loving who God made you to be honors God and gives Him glory.  Don’t be hard on yourself, love yourself and help others.  Share let it go (Andrea).  Sharing is always of God.  Purpose and Passion :) :) :) :) 

Diet:  Yesterday I got back on the band wagon.  I ate my 3 prepared meals with popcorn as snack.  Yeah Yeah Yeah.  I have foot appt. today.  Prayfully I will be back on the workout path real soon.  Lord’s will be done.  I trust Him.

WOW - Absolutely Wonderful Weekend

Jayden R. Jordan - Resurrection Sunday - Grandma's lil man

Lord I thank You for Your sacrifice of Love.  You die for our sins that we may live.  For this I am so grateful.  Lord forgive me for any sins that I have committed.  I am working to be obedient to You and live in Your will.  Forgive me for any ill thoughts, remove from me any character flaws which stand in my way of serving You.  Lord thank You sooooo much for living and dwelling in me.  For allowing me a second, third, fouth…….. chance.  I trust You Lord !

Resurrection Service was so wonderful.  I found myself not being able to look at the screen imaging my savior going through the torture he went through leading to his death.  I would close my eyes, then I thought about it and realized I needed to see what He went through for my sins.  It was moving.  Pastor’s sermon was so appropriate for Resurrection Sunday and it was nice to see Sis Tanya standing by his side.  Twenty Five (25) years of marriage.  WOW and another WOW.  I was also impressed when he said that he and Sis Tanya sought out counseling for their marriage.  They know the importance of seeking help, it was very humbling.  If I had stayed married I would have been married 25 years also.  WOW

Check my grandson out, Jayden on Resurrection Sunday.  He is growing up so fast.  Looking like Chris more and more.  He is such a blessing to my life.

WOW what a fantastic weekend.  I need to begin by saying I absolutely blew my heathly lifestyle approach to life.  Blew it.  But today is a new day.  Saturday, Sonic, absolutely divine, Saturday evening Retirement Affair; catfish,. Ribs and sides, Sunday; dinner at the Jenkins; Lord Lord Lord, I ate til I couldn’t eat any more, literally, Yeah WOW !  You see the thing is I don’t regret it.  J   No I don’t.  Now today is a new day and I will begin with my salads, I go to the doctor tomorrow regarding my broke up foot and he evaluate to see if I need cast.  I am praying that it won’t.  I really am ready to get back to some slow walking.  But I will see what God’s plan is for me.  I will do as He sees fit for me.  He knows best.  I talked to Kathy D from True Image yesterday, I miss her so much, she is my fitness Guru.  She encouraged me and said what many have said “God wants to slow down and you look fine”.  It was encouraging, but I didn’t tell her about all this food I am consuming so I am confessing it to ya’ll   LOL

Beauty:  We BE HAULING, WE BE HAULING  On Saturday, a friend and I took a road trip and did some hauling at Ulta and Target. We had 20% off coupons for Ulta, which was real helpful.  Savings dollars really helps with buying products they tend to be expensive whether it is drugstore and don’t let it be high end.  My friend got her brows done at Ulta and they looked great.  The young lady that did her brows had really nice lashes.  As she was doing my friends brows I was also checking out her lashes.  At first I thought they were false but I didn’t see a strip.  I asked her and she told us, and of course, we picked it up and was able to get a trial size for 10 bucks, regular size is 22 and we were able to use our 20% making it even cheaper.  I really like the mascara I had been using Zoom by Mac.  Zoom can be clumpy and a lot of product is on the wand and you have to be real careful applying Zoom.  Benefit's "they'reReal " did not leave me clumpy, clumsiness did occur when I applied second coat.  For me this is a one coat massacre, which is cool, the product will last longer.  The ladies at Ulta said this is a top selling mascara.  I have used several masacra, Dior Show, Zoom and lots of drugstore brands and this has the best performance giving false lash look.  Beauty consultant said the product is water resistant and not waterproof, whatever !!!!  Falsies by Maybelline is good but not this good.   It was good hanging out with my friend, we had fun, being all girly and stuff. She is a beauty guru in her own right.  She does her research and knows products and knows how a product should perform.      

they're Real - thumps up

Our haul to Target was a bit disappointed as far as beauty supplies, Targets are reducing carrying the almost full line of ELF and have downsized to only carrying the new sets.  I love the individual items; brushes, brush cleaner, highlighters, brow kits, etc.  Now the one on University Circle sells more than the one at East Gate, but they don’t restock quickly enough.  It seems as if ELF is selling and offering better deals on their site.  They run 50% off regularly, so maybe regular ELF consumers are going to the site verses Target.  As I do my research I see more hauls from the site where beauty bloggers are getting large boxes of products and backups at 50% with free shipping.  I like this concept of saving of I, me myself like running into target and picking up my products and backups.

                                                           

Now what was worth our trip to Target was jewelry.  We would some really nice and different pieces.  They had some fabulous colors and we took full advantage of the selection.  I love to accessorize, therefore I love jewelry.  The necklaces are definitely signature pieces wearing them alone or laying it with other necklaces gave a really classy look. 

Inside the CCO

                                                                       

I think the next time we will ride to the CCO (Cosmetic Company Store) at Aurora Outlet.  Where they have Este Lauder, Clinique, Mac and Bobbi Brown cosmetics at 20% off.  Most of the items are items that have been discontinue and hard to find.  They do carry most of the foundations; pressed; liquid, powers, and Holiday Kits.  They sell traincases and MAC brushes and also I know skin care products from Clinique and Este Lauder.  Oh yeah I have gotten some really nice Lancome eyeshadows for real cheap, they usually keep them on a special clearance table.   If I recall they sell colognes.  I have had both good and bad experience with the sales people, some know the products and some really don’t.  So it is helpful to know the line and especially know your color for matching foundations. 

                                                                    

I know my daughter is getting me a Sephora gift card for my belated birthday gift.  I am excited.  And with it I can pick up some products and get a free make over.  Excited to have this experience.  Never had a makeover at Sephora.  I will like to see what they will do with me J  I will give update and post a picture or two.

Oh yeah, I found a another flat blue shoe to match my soft shoe.  It has an open toe.  I picked it up from Payless.  I am not found of flats so I am not trying to spend 50 bucks for flats at DSW. 

Wonderfully Made

Lord thank You for dying on the cross for my salvation.  I thank You for the love You showed on Calvary.  You died for my sins and the sins of the world.  I am grateful.  Forgive me of any sins that I have committed.  God I am asking that you remove my character flaws, I want to look more like You oh Lord.  Lord I am grateful, so grateful.  Lord protect my family and friends.  Continue to show Yourself to us.  In time of crisis You are there, protecting and providing.  You are a magnificent Master and I am your servant.  Give me strength Lord as I travel this journey, the journey you have mapped out for me.  Let me do it in alignment to Your will.  Humbly and without pride.

Today has been a day of celebration.  I woke up this morning with thoughts of Olivia.  I was brought to tears thinking about her and the love she had for me and others.  I missed her this morning more than I had in quite awhile.  I miss talking to her and laughing together.  Then God took to a point from self pity to praise and celebration.  I was able to remember the good and be appreciative for the time we had together.  He reminded me that I will see her again and that she is fine.

When I got to work we celebrated the upcoming births of two of my coworkers.  We had a wonderful shower for the both of them and they seemed to be appreciative of our support.  One is due in April and other in June.  Some of our original intake department came back for the shower.  It was sort of a reunion too.  My coworkers are so kind and giving and always supportive.  My previous supervisor came, LOVE HER; she supported me through my storm, giving me time off without question.  We have a special bond; I always jokingly tell her since my mom past she is the best woman walking this earth.  She laughs but she understands my love and respect for her.  She is an excellent team builder and as a result she has been blessed to have worked her way up to AVP of campus programs.  Which means she pretty much runs our campus programs.  Big responsibility, but her team will do most anything for her, because she goes the distance for her team.

Ariel didn’t do the cleaning yesterday, I was disappointed, but she called and was there doing it this morning.  Praise the Lord.   Praise the Lord.  I feel better already.  Can’t wait to go home and elevate my feet in a clean bedroom.  J J J

Beauty :  Well I have decided to begin my You Tube journey.  I have been blessed with help.  As much as I would like to think I am a techno junkie I am not.  I have been really wanting this Channel to benefit others.  I have been real careful to not want to take it on and busy myself with something/hobby and it not glorify God in any way.  I may consider naming it Wonderfully Made instead of Olivia’s Daughter.  It is in the initial phase I will post the launch.  EXCITED  

Slowing Down Sitting Still

Lord You are so so worthy.  I want to ask You to forgive me of any sins that I may have committed.  I want to thank You for salvation that you gave so unselfishly.  Your love is ever present and constant in my life.  I thank You for allowing me to feel your presence. 

This week has been so slow moving, I am just not myself since my foot was fractured.  I feel a bit broken in spirit.  I am having to rely on God totally to get me through each day.  Exercise gave me a rush, a feeling of achievement and success.  Even on the days I didn’t work out I knew I could if I had wanted to.  I am trying to be real careful to see what God is doing and wanting me to do in my brokenness.  It has slowed me down to where I can engage in relationships with friends and family more.  Yesterday I was able to sit with a friend and talk about God.  Whereas I would have been running around, exercising, power walking or just be over absorbed in self.  This evening I have something planned that I would not have done.  God is allowing me to sit still and talk and share His goodness.  It was good to just sit down and talk with my friend on a one on one.  I was able to share something with her that I would not share with anyone else.  It felt so good to get it out in the open which makes it more real for me.  Listening to her Godly advice helps me to move from self to aligning myself more in God’s will.  Again I am always quick to say I am living in my purpose and in God’s will.  But for the BIG stuff I freeze.  I needed the words of her friendship to help me.  God is amazing.  I will pray and God will work things out in His time. 

 I am grateful even if I don’t sound like it, I really am.  Now I am not moving.  I want to do ab and arm work, but have not wanted it enough to go ahead and get it in.  My foot is coming along and is less painful in the morning when I arise.  I can wake up without reaching for Motrin. 

My workload has been slow but steady this week.  Not to the point where I am so overwhelmed I could scream or not want to come into work.  Things have been manageable. 

Big thing, Ariel is coming over to clean up around the house for me.  Yes, this will make me feel a lot better.  The house is a mess everything is where I left it and not put away.  Dishes are dirty, frig needs cleaning.  I do not function well in disorder and uncleanness.  I thank God for her.  Friends have asked, but it is the kind of disorganization only family should have to clean up LOL  Grateful, Grateful, Grateful

Beauty:  Well I had a pimple on my face and I was treating it with Tea Tree Oil.  Well if you know anything about Tea Tree Oil you know it needs diluting with water.  Well I did, but I mixed it and the oil and water separated and I did not shake it.  Well as soon as I removed the Q-Tip from my face with the mixture my face turned vivid red.  Yeah red and I am deep dark.  I knew it was trouble then.  This happened last week so the redness was turning dark, like almost a dime size.  So this with the foot thing was driving me crazy.  I noticed the burn was crusty like and was not leaving a permanent scar.  I was discussing it with a friend and she said to use Neosporin (sp).  Well I had some I have been using on the scarring on my knee from the fall.  So last night at bedtime I applied it and around 3 in the a.m. I applied it again and about 6 a.m.  So by the time I got to work, it was peelable, leaving fresh natural skin underneath.  I was so grateful.  I did not want another area I would need to cover with major concealer.  

PRAY

Lord you are so great and worthy to be praised !  I am asking that You forgive me of any sins that I may have committed.  Forgive me and continue to love me.  God I love You I am in need of Your favor, grace and mercy.  I feel Your love and know You love me.  Allow me to be content where I am right now.

Over the last few days I have gotten so much rest, I was off of my feet all day on Sunday.  I missed Sunday’s service but needed the day to elevate and rest my foot.  In doing this the swelling decreased wonderfully.  I took some Motrin PM and got some rest.  Now my house is a mess but its ok, I’m not letting anybody in LOL LOL LOL  I received two calls from friends after church yesterday for visits and I politely excused myself from receiving.  I will hook up with them soon.  It was ok to allow myself time to rest.  I did not even cook Sunday dinner, Nique stayed away and so did Ariel and Jayden. 

On Saturday I ran a couple errands and then went to MY BIRTHDAY dinner.  I like MY BIRTHDAY as Jayden refers to any and everybody’s birthday.  The dinner was of 5 star quality.  And best of all the friendship is of 5 star status.  Such a thoughtful act of kindness.  We had lots of laughter, conversation and we even did some beauty researching on You Tube.  Yeah !  Yeah !  Yeah ! 

I really want my foot to heal, I feel bad about it.  I am trying to make the best of it, but it makes me sad L  Pray as I pray for myself !